Kevin Gausman was drafted fourth overall by the Baltimore Orioles in the 2012 Major League Baseball draft. Baltimore selected the right-handed pitcher out of Louisiana State University with its first pick.
Gausman entered the draft as one of the most highly regarded college pitchers in the country. His fastball and developing secondary pitches made him the first pitcher selected in 2012, even though several position players went ahead of him. He signed with Baltimore and reached the majors the following season.
The Orioles chose Gausman after he had built a strong résumé at LSU, where he became known for his velocity and strikeout ability. His professional career later included stops with Atlanta, Cincinnati and San Francisco, where he developed into an established frontline starter and earned All-Star recognition.
The wording can cause confusion because “fourth overall” refers to the entire draft, not merely the fourth pitcher chosen. Gausman was Baltimore’s first-round selection and the draft’s No. 4 pick overall.